Committee examines SRO reimbursements, overtime and funding options for Fire Station 5

The Finance Committee spent significant time on public-safety funding on Jan. 15, focusing on school-resource-officer (SRO) reimbursements, overtime and prospects for funding a relocated Fire Station 5.

Kim Kaufman presented PSST fund results and said audited FY25 revenue was lower than estimates by about $800,000 and capital spending was lower than budgeted, leaving encumbrances. She told the committee that reimbursement from the school district for SROs was lower than budgeted because the contract allowed only a 2% increase (staff had budgeted a 5% increase). Staff estimated SRO overtime for after-school events at roughly $300,000 for '25.

Council members and staff compared the city's SRO contract to a Cleveland County contract that limits overtime and supplies fewer, less-experienced officers at lower cost. One council member urged that renegotiation consider overtime expectations, noting the city provides fully trained officers while other contracts may rely on less-experienced personnel.

On Fire Station 5, staff said one option is to issue debt under the PSST fund but noted debt service could exceed PSST revenue and would require a general-fund subsidy; another option is to use the voter-approved 0.7% capital sales-tax dollars (about $18 million annually) and pay cash over two budget cycles. Staff said they are preparing real-property-acquisition conversations for council review.